World Donkey Day is celebrated on May 8 every year. It is a day dedicated to recognizing the strong, humble and gentle donkey, bringing attention to their many amazing characteristics.
As “beasts of burden,” donkeys have played a fundamental role in society dating as far back as 4000 BC – providing labor in some of the most challenging terrains. The modern world would not look the way it does without the assistance of donkeys, and they are still building civilizations and supporting families in the most vulnerable communities. Today is about showing them appreciation.
What can you do to celebrate? -
Share your donkey stories & photos with us on social media or email them to Kendall.Bierer@BrookeUSA.org to be featured on our stories.
- Make a donation to Brooke USA today to help us continue appreciating and improving the lives of donkeys globally.
-
Tell someone about Brooke USA and what we do, awareness is key in highlighting these hardworking animals.
- Learn more about The Ejiao Act and write a letter to your representatives asking for support to stop the donkey hide crisis in the United States.
|
|
|
Wako is an equine community leader from Ethiopia where a crisis looms large. A deadly combination of prolonged droughts, political conflict and rising food prices means that many equine owners can no longer afford to feed their working horses, donkeys, and mules. As well as hunger, many equines are sick and in pain because medicines are too expensive or not available. Some horses and donkeys have painful hoof injuries because their owners have no access to trained farriers. Others have leaking sores on their backs from ill-fitting harnesses and lack of local veterinarians.
Animals work very long hours in Ethiopia – sometimes ten hours a day – in the searing heat just to earn enough money to feed the families who depend on them for survival. There is rarely much money left over to buy proper feed for the animals and they are permanently weak
and tired. No matter how hard it gets, the animals must keep working or their families will starve. But a better life for working equines is possible with help from you.
"I know first-hand what a difference Brooke USA’s supporters can make to a family like mine. Before Brooke USA started working in our area, my horses and donkeys did not have a shelter to protect them from sun, rain and even hyena attacks. I did not know how important nutritious food and rest was for the well-being of my animals."
Your vital donations have ensured that Wako, and other like him, acquire basic hoof care skills so he can stop them from further injuries or getting infections.
"Thanks to Brooke USA, I have learned how to feed and care for my horses and donkeys better. I have learned to groom them and prevent wounds by making my own, well-fitting harnesses."
More importantly, because of Brooke USA-funded training, Wako became what is known as a Community Leader. In this role he shares his training and knowledge with my community to help them provide for their own animals. This model of education and training creates a ripple effect – that reaches the most animals in need by building strong relationships among equine owners.
Sadly, there are thousands of horses, donkeys, and mules and even owners, who urgently need the support of community leaders such as me. Your support today can provide hope for so many working horses, donkeys and mules, and the people who depend on them worldwide, like Wako.
Learn more about Wako by visiting brookeusa.org/ethiopia. |
|
|
Brooke USA is thrilled to announce the election of James “Jim” Hamilton DVM as Chair of the Board of Directors. Jim originally joined the Board back in 2007 when the organization was founded and after a hiatus, has returned to the lead the nonprofit.
Over the years, Jim has been instrumental in the development of administrative policies and operational procedures, all contributing toward organizational growth. He has been a contributor toward strong relationships with the equine veterinary community and has positioned the organization as a partner to the AAEP (American Association for Equine Partnership) and The Foundation of the Horse.
Jim has also participated in Brooke USA’s national advocacy efforts toward combating the import and sale of ejiao, a product made from the gelatin produced from donkey hides and used in traditional Chinese medicine. Hundreds of thousands of donkeys across the world are stolen, smuggled, and slaughtered each year to meet an ever-increasing demand for ejiao, threatening the lives of these equines and the livelihoods of people. The United States is the third largest consumer of ejiao in the world.
“I am excited to lead Brooke USA’s Board of Directors and work closely with fellow Board members and staff to further execute our mission-driven strategy,” said Jim. “I know that many challenges lie ahead but I’m confident that we will continue to build support by making new friends and extending our work.” “Brooke USA has a very bright future, and I look forward to leveraging our greater strength and exceptional talent to grow our presence, increase awareness for our mission and raise the needed funds to make a significant difference in the lives of equines and people in the developing world,” Jim concluded.
Jim succeeds Katherine Kaneb from Wellington, FL who served in the Chair role for the years following the COVID-19 pandemic. Brooke USA’s 2023 Board of Directors is comprised of: Officers: James “Jim” Hamilton, DVM; Board Chair; Southern Pines, NC Laura Rombauer, St. Helena, CA Mark Beausoleil; Treasurer, Boca Raton, FL Lisa Bair, Secretary, Wellington, FL David Jones, Chair Emeritus; Asheboro, NC Directors-at-large: Pernilla Ammann; Wellington, FL Tami Fratis; Ocala, FL Sally Frick; Campobello, SC Dwayne Hildreth; Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX Gill Johnston; Wellington, FL John Nicholson, Past Board Chair; Georgetown, KY Katie Roth; Aiken, SC
Holly Sampson; Duluth, MN Jennifer Schechter, Wellington, FL Lisa Spoden: Delray Beach, FL Chris Tattersall; East Sussex, UK
Tannetta Fentener van Vlissingen, Southern Pines, NC Julia Wilson, DVM, Stillwater, MN Stuart Wilson, Newport Beach, CA |
|
|
We are honored and thrilled to unveil our image of 2023 for Brooke USA Foundation, beautifully painted from a photo taken in Ethiopia at one of our funded projects. The artist, Judith Widener, has been a wonderful supporter of Brooke USA Foundation since 2017, and her passion shows in the painting, aptly named "New Friends". Brooke USA unveiled the new painting at the FEI World Cup Omaha during our charity session, the FEI World Cup Dressage Finals, on April 7.
This image will be made into limited edition prints, as well as used for notecards, apparel and more. Thank you to Judith Widener for this spectacular piece painted in oil and acrylic. This image represents the bond between the working equine and the people who depend on them to survive. 100 million working equines support 600 million of the world's poorest people.
About the Artist: Judy Widener started riding when she was 3 and painting horses when she was 7. The West Palm Beach, Florida-based artist has spent most of her life either on a horse or rendering them in paint, ink or pencil. She loves doing commissioned portraits of riders with their horses.
“When I can’t ride, I can paint,” she said. “When I can’t paint, I ride. It’s like oxygen.
The original painting is framed in a beautiful gold foil Italian floating frame, designed and framed by CJR Fine Arts & Frame, and completes the beauty of the painting.
Brooke USA also hosted autograph signings, demonstrations by Brooke USA Ambassador Tik Maynard and made new friends with the help of our board members Julia Wilson and Tannetta Fentener van Vlissingen. |
|
|
Vulnerable equine-dependent communities across the developing world and right here in the United States are benefitting from Wellington contributors who supported Brooke USA Foundation’s (Brooke USA) multiple fundraising events held during the Winter Equestrian Season, under the campaign umbrella, Paint Wellington Orange.
Each year, since 2016, Brooke USA has created innovative and creative events that attract and bring together leading equestrians who make their home in Florida during the winter. For the first time, and strategically different from the prior mass attended events, this year, Brooke USA launched three targeted and unique events, smaller in scale, allowing for more intimate and focused interactions among guests and with the mission.
Raising over $80,000, the first event was held on a Monday early in February - The Watering Hole, a pool party drawing young riders to an afternoon of relaxation and fun at the National Polo Center’s Mallet Grill. The event was chaired by Morgan Measey and Ash Atkinson featuring pool games, entertainment, food, drinks, a luxury auction with items from some of the equestrian world’s top brands and Palm Beach’s leading businesses, while the “Sip & Shop” allowed guests to shop for an array of exclusive boutique items while enjoying a glass of wine.
|
|
|
The second event, Brooke USA’s Ponies & Pearls presented by Celebrity Cruises and Hotels-At-Sea, was held in March at The Pavilion at the National Polo Center in conjunction with the U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship® Final and in celebration of National Women’s History Month. Ponies & Pearls was built on the success of the already existing Brooke USA event hosted annually in Aiken, South Carolina, by Brooke USA’s Aiken Regional Advisory Council and designed by Brooke USA Board member Katie Roth.
Chaired in Wellington by Brooke USA Board members Lisa Bair, Gill Johnston, and Lisa Spoden, with Brooke USA Ambassador Dawn Jones serving as Honorary Chair, the event raised funds to support women empowerment in the developing world through equine ownership. Ponies & Pearls secured another $80,000 for Brooke USA. |
|
|
The last and final event, Brooke USA’s Divertimentos & Dressage presented by Lugano Diamonds, a one-of-a-kind showcase by dressage riders performing freestyle with their Grand Prix horses to the live music of the Palm Beach Symphony, was held at Vinceremos Therapeutic Horsemanship Center. Performed by well-known international riders, including Brooke USA Ambassadors - National and Regional USDF Champion JJ Tate, and Paralympian and National Champion Rebecca Hart. In addition, the performances also included London Olympic alternate and WEG competitor Todd Flettrich, Israeli athlete Sahar Daniel Hirosh, and American competitors Jim Koford and Allison Kavey.
|
|
|
Divertimentos & Dressage was first held in the Tryon-area of The Carolinas, hosted for three years by Brooke USA’s Foothills Advisory Council, and conceptualized by equestrian and flutist, Sally Frick, a member of the Board of Directors of Brooke USA. After three successful years, the Wellington debut, chaired by Margaret H. Duprey and Selma Garber, raised an additional $80,000 for the cause while delighting guests with an orchestral repertoire that included works by Mozart, Strauss, Beethoven, Holst, Brahms, and Sousa. Divertimentos & Dressage was a resounding success, and the event is already slated to return to Wellington on March 21, 2024.
“These three events would never have been possible without the extraordinary dedication of our various committee members and volunteers who provided their guidance and expertise. We are ever so grateful to them, our attendees, and to our sponsors, including our presenting sponsors Lugano Diamonds and Celebrity Cruises and Hotels-At-Sea,” said Emily Dulin, CEO of Brooke USA.
Other sponsors and underwriters of Paint Wellington Orange included American Stalls, AmFund, The Boarderie, Cherry Knoll Farm, Equisite Elements of Style, Human Touch, Maxwell's Plum, Media Zone, Poll-to-Tail Magnawave, Poinciana Farm, Project Florida, Shutts Attorneys at Law, Slane Irish Whiskey, Star Liquors, Tito's Handmade Vodka and Valley Bank. “All these contributors made the difference between failure and success, and we hit three consecutive home runs” added Dulin.
Paint Wellington Orange would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of the amazing committee members across the three events: Hope Arellano, John Barlett, Allison Brock, Barbra Cole, Jane Cleveland, Hillary Dobbs, Lee Ann Ingram, Elizabeth Iorio, Kaela Genovese, Irene Greenberg, Marcia Kulak, Brianne Link, Emily Marschok, Lynn O'Connor, Ginny Orthwein, Kasey Perry Glass, Candace Platz, Kerensa Muller, Leslie Munsell, Robert Reyers, Tami Salinas-Bentley, Susan Shelly, Lydia Sudick, Weatherly Stroh and Aimee Waters.
“Working with such amazing people and such generous companies adds to the fuel that energizes our steadfast dedication and commitment to helping those in need – people and animals,” noted Kendall Bierer, Donor Relations Officer.
Funds raised from all three events are allocated to finance Brooke USA’s 2023 grant commitments to Brooke: Action for Working Horses & Donkeys in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, and the Caribbean, and other organizations in need that boast a similar mission. Throughout the year, Brooke USA is also supporting Native American initiatives geared at improving the hoof health of equines on tribal reservations and combating the donkey hide trade through advocacy at the Federal level that will lead to a ban the import and sale of ejiao (the gelatin made from boiling the hides of donkeys) in the United States. To learn more about these programs, please contact Brooke USA at info@BrookeUSA.org.
|
| |
Photos By: Gabriel Hurtado/Project Florida and Joanna Jodko |
| |
Karen Moon Mid-Level Gift Officer |
| Kim Shipp Community Development Officer |
|
|
We’re excited to share with you that our organization has earned a 2023 Gold Seal of Transparency with Candid! Now, you can support our work with trust and confidence by viewing our #NonProfitProfile: www.guidestar.org/profile/33-1173163.
Furthermore, Brooke USA has secured a “Perfect 100” charity score and a four-star rating from Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent charity evaluator rating more than 200,000 charities a year. |
|
|
Our Contact Information
*{{Organization Name}}*
*{{Organization Address}}*
*{{Organization Phone}}*
*{{Organization Website}}*
*{{Unsubscribe}}* |
| |
|
|
